Make Your Limo Company Stand Out For The Holidays

In the frenzy of holiday shopping and consumers being bombarded with a massive amount of advertisements, offers, promotions and just plain, noise, it’s hard to be noticed in the sea of holiday spirit.

You may even be thinking, “How can I compete with all the products out there? I offer a service…”

Because of the overload of consumerism around this time of year, it’s the perfect opportunity for you to be the trusted resource for your clients and potential clients, a “calm in the midst of a storm” of activity. With all the shopping and baking and obligations during the holiday season, it’s easy to lose track of the things that may make this holiday season less stressful, more enjoyable and safer.

For example, maybe your corporate client didn’t think about the fact that you may be available for sedan service to and from their big holiday parties. Or, perhaps they’re looking for things to do with out-of-town relatives…how perfectly festive would a holiday lights tour in one of your vehicles be?

Here are some other tips on standing out in the holiday frenzy:

Create an online and offline gift guide. Creating an online gift guide landing page on your website and promote it on your social networks is a great way to get your customers excited about the holidays and also drive traffic to your website. If you have a newsletter, blast it to your email list as an added service to your clients.

Develop a special holiday promotion. Offer clients and potential clients a discount service for the many holiday parties they may attend. Promote all the offers on social media and in your email marketing.

Partner with other local businesses. Work together with other local business to cross-promote your company. For example, partner with a restaurant to offer a dinner and sedan service.

Decorate your limos with wreaths on the front bumper. . . or a sprig of holly or a driedel on your rearview mirror. People can’t resist the charm and excitement that comes with holiday decorations. Take advantage of this, however, be careful not to overdo it or make it kitschy and excessive.

Look ahead to the New Year. Will you be introducing new services or adding to your fleet? Offer your email subscribers a sneak peek at what to expect from you in the upcoming year.

Use a concierge approach to content. Focus on being useful rather than just pushing services. Answer common questions that your audience has, but have fun with it. Offer tips on gift giving, entertaining, shopping on a budget, traveling, etc. Find out what their biggest challenges are and help them.

Run photo contests on social media. How about an ugly sweater contest? Or worst re-gift gift? Add value to the contest by offering a prize for the best entry, such as an Amazon gift card or similar, and offer the entrants a special thank you discount (on a one time reservation) just for entering. Just remember to use a third-party app to run the contest so you’re abiding by Facebook’s policies. You could even write a press release covering the contest, and incorporate the topic into your blog and email newsletter marketing too.

Our last tip is so simple, it almost sounds stupid. Be available. That’s it. Some people may not even consider using a limo service to get to and from their special events, or a great holiday lights tour with their extended family in one of your minibuses or vans. It’s up to you to let them know you’re there and you’re available.

Jennifer Wong is Partner/Principal at DriveProfit,LLC a fully integrated limousine and ground transportation marketing company, offering everything you need to market your limousine company, from website design, SEO services, email marketing and social media marketing management to printed materials such as business cards, rack cards, brochures and more. DriveProfit’s principals have over 50 years of combined marketing experience in the ground transportation and travel industries. For more information on DriveProfit, please visit www.driveprofit.com.

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